ADDUESS 



DELIVERED BEFORE THE 







AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY 



or 



KENT COUNTY, DELAWARE, 



October 15, 1857. 



BY 



G. EMERSON, M. D . , 



OF PHILADELPHIA. 



PUBLISHED BY ORDER OF THE SOCIETY. 



PHILADELPHIA: 
NATIONAL MERCHANT PRINT, 

1857. 



ADDRESS 



DELIVERED BEFORE TUB 



AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY 



OP 



KENT COUNTY, DELAWARE, 



October 15, 1857. 



G. ifMERSON, M. D., 



U 



OF PHILADELPHIA. 



PUBLISHED BY ORDER OF THE SOCIETY. 




PHILADELPHIA: 

NATIONAL MERCHANT PRINT, 

1857. 



ADDRESS. 



Gentlemen : — 

At very few days notice, and whilst my attention was greatly 
occupied by pressing engagements, I have accepted an invitation 
to deliver an address before the Agricultural Society of my 
native county. Had I consulted my own convenience or repu- 
tation, I should on such short notice have declined the task. 
But reflecting that I was not going among strangers whom it 
had often been my lot to address elsewhere, but among friends 
of my youth and maturity, who would kindly overlook any defi- 
ciencies arising from want of due time for preparation, I have 
not felt at liberty to refuse whatever contribution I may be able 
to make to your store of agricultural information. 

Coming suddenly from my home in an immense commercial 
and manufacturing city, where a financial storm unexpectedly 
raised, is day after day wrecking the fortunes of the hitherto 
most prosperous, whilst those still holding out are hard pressed 
and painfully solicitous for their safety, I cannot but admire 
the appearance of serenity and security which prevails over this 
agricultural community. True, the prices of some important 
crops have declined, but still all is not lost, and the bountiful 
acres remain ever ready to furnish the means of support and 
independence. It was wittily said by a great financier on an 
occasion like the present, that the securest of all banks, were 
banks of earth, the most productive stocks those in the field, 
the best shares those of the plough. 

At no very distant day things wore a dreary aspect in this 
now flourishing neighborhood, which, isolated, and far removed 



from the scenes of most activity and prosperity, then lay in a 
state of almost hopeless depression. It required the best part of 
two days to reach Philadelphia by the miserable mail stages and 
as many days to return, at a cost three or four times exceeding 
the present, to say nothing of the greater loss of time. Now, 
one can leave Philadelphia after a late breakfast, and without 
the least fatigue arrive here at the meridian hour. On looking 
around me I find on every side so many evidences of increased 
prosperity, exhibited in fine new dwellings, stores and churches, 
that I scarcely know where I am. And beautiful farms too, in 
places which were formerly lying out in unsightly commons, 
or covered by the original forests. Thanks to the spirit of enter- 
prise that a few years since, led a few of the more hopeful and 
confident, first to venture on the establishment of a steamboat 
connection with the great market for the products of the soil, 
and which growing bolder has finally completed along the spine 
of the state, a railroad, the crowning triumph of our internal 
improvements, one that not only opens fresh fields and higher in- 
ducements for agricultural enterprize but for every other industri- 
cal pursuit. AW honor to those whose intelligence, zeal and unre- 
mitting exertions have brought this most important enterprize 
ever attempted in the state to such a happy comsummation. 

Let us take a slight glance at the position, soil, climate and 
adaptation of the section of country, thus as it were, newly 
regenerated. Kent is the middlemost and smallest of what in 
collonial times were known as the " Three Lower Counties on 
Delaware." Its surface presents a level alluvial, the eastern 
portion bordering on the ba y shore known as the Necks, exhibi- 
ting a fine extent of clay loam heavily charged with dark vege- 
table organic matter, offering a soil of great agriculturnl value. 
In proceeding westward some two, four or five miles, the clay 
loam becomes gradually less tenacious, and more silicious. Sand 
however scarcely ever prevails in any part to such an extent as 
to make heavy roads, but is combined with clay in varied pro- 
portions, rendering it admirably adapted to agricultural and 
especially to horticultural purposes. I question whether any 
lands are to be fouud on the peninsula between the two great 
bays, or any where else, with soils so perfectly suited to the vari- 
ous objects of agriculture and fruit culture, especially to the 
perfect developement of the peach and the grape. 



In regard to climate this portion of the peninsula enjoys a 
most advantageous position, the winter season being far less 
austere than in other places westward in the same latitude, 
whilst summer heats are tempered by the influence of refreshing 
sea breezes, which for weeks rise in the morning and continue 
until evening. It is the highest point, so far as I can learn, 
where the mocking bird stays through the winter. 

The former productiveness and prosperity of Kent County is 
indicated by numerous spacious brick mansions, once the impo- 
sing residences of good old families, many of which are still 
worthily represented in this audience. In conversation with 
persons living a little more northerly, I have been often surprised 
to discover the ignorance prevailing of the true condition of things 
in this county, and the peculiar advantages it possesses. I 
grant that those who come down by day on the newly opened 
line of railroad, this side of Black bird forest, may see very 
small corn stalks, and far too many of them. But such as ap- 
proach by way of the old state road, especially if they diverge 
into the Necks to the eastward, can look upon thousands of 
acres in high culture, producing large wheat fields averaging 
25, 30 and even more bushels to the acre, and extensive corn 
fields with 40 to 60 bushels per acre. The lover of the beautiful 
and majestic productions of nature, may stop and gaze almost 
with rapture upon the pride of the American forest, the Tulip 
poplar luxuriating in its favorite soil, often attaining the height of 
150 and 200 feet, with diameters of 8 and 9 feet. 

One of the most profitable topics which can be brought to the 
consideration of a rural audience on an occasion like the pre- 
sent, is the most ready means of improving exhausted soils and 
keeping up fertility. 

All upland soils lose more or less of their original fertility, 
after cultivation, and we know that many parts of the old world 
once famed for their productiveness and teeming populations, 
have long since passed into sterility and desolation. Syria may 
be referred to as one example, and Sicily, the granary of old 
Rome, another. Even in our New World, many portions of the 
Atlantic states once distinguished for profitable husbandry, have 
become improvished below the point which requites labor. In 



such cases the soils have parted with some elements essential to 
the growth and developement of plants, and the most important 
of these has been ascertained to be phosphoric acid, which, 
combined chiefly with lime, abounds in the bones of animals. 
One of the most eminent french philosophers, M. Elie De Beau- 
mont, member of the National Institute and Professor of the 
Royal School of Mines, has devoted himself to an investigation 
of the agricultural utility of phosphoric acid and its compounds, 
to the abstraction of which from the surface of the earth he 
ascribes that decay of powerful nations to which I have alluded. 
He has even gone into a profound calculation to show the vast 
amount of this fertilizing material that has been buried six feet 
under ground, in graves tenanted by the thousands of millions 
who have successively passed away since the days when the 
rude celts yielded the land to French cultivation and civilization. 
The grand result which he arrives at is that no less than two 
millions of tons of phosphate of lime, has during this period 
been drawn from the soil, converted into human bones and now 
lies beyond the reach of plants, lost to vegetation and the neces- 
sities of animal existence. 

Colbert, he says, prophesied that France would perish from 
the destruction ot her forests, an event which every one may 
conceive could have taken place, had it not been for her wealth 
in coal. In his time no one could comprehend how a great 
nation might perish for want of phosphorus in the soil. But this 
will come to pass if mineral resources fail to furnish elements 
which will administer to agricultural necessities, what coal does 
to the domestic wants and mechanical arts. 

The admirable efficacy of animal bones to increase produc- 
tiveness in soils has been known by the English farmers for a 
good many years past, and every part of the world has been 
ransacked to obtain them. Even the field of Waterloo and 
other scenes of human carnage are said to have contributed 
extensively to this traffic. Thousands of tons of bones — not 
however of human subjects — have been sent from Philadelphia 
alone, until within the last two or three years, when the recog- 
nition of their great value by our own farmers has so enhanced 
their price as nearly to prevent further exportations. 



Whilst plants during their growth and developement can 
obtain more or less ammonia from the atmosphere, they are 
dependent entirely upon the soil for the necessary supply of 
phosphoric acid. But the proportion of this last, even in highly 
productive land is so minute when compared with the more 
common ingredients of soils, that the efforts of chemists often 
fail to detect its presence. There is indeed little of what is 
called the best land that may not be highly benefitted by applica- 
tions containing phosphoric acid. 

Bones were first employed as manure crushed into coarse frag- 
ments or ground into dust, states in which they were very slowly 
soluble and comparatively inactive. Very recently Baron Liebig 
recommended dissolving them in a strong acid in order to effect 
their more complete subdivision through chemical agency, and 
thus enable them to exert at once their fullest fertilizing action. 
Experiments founded on these views, made soon after their an- 
nouncement in England, by Mr. Flemming, the Duke of Rich- 
mond, Messrs. Pusey and Morton, warranted them in making 
the strong declaration, that " this mode of preparing bones prom- 
ised the most important saving ever held out in the use of manure," 
a promise which has been realized so that now in England, after 
years of experience, the preparation and use of super-phosphate 
of lime from bone-earth and mineral phosphates, has been fully 
recognized as "the great agricultural discovery of the age. ,> The 
amount annually manufactured there and applied to crops may 
be imagined when I tell you that, of the very many engaged 
extensively in the business, one person alone, Mr. Lawes of 
Hertfordshire, makes annually more than 12,000 tons of super 
phosphate of lime. 

Fortunately for the agricultural interests of the old world and 
those portions of our own country suffering from exhaustion, 
sources from which almost unlimited supplies of phosphoric acid 
can be obtained, have been discovered in the islands of many 
seas, chiefly tropical. But for this timely discovery the compe- 
tition for bones, great as it is at present, would have driven up 
their price for agricultural purposes far above what we could 
afford to pay, on this side of the Atlantic* 

*To give some idea of the immense trade now carryiug on in concentrated 
fertilizers, supplying among other elements, that which M, De Beaumont asserts 



8 

The great advantages derived from this class of concentrated 
manures, lately introduced, and mainly dependent for their fertili- 
zing effects upon phosphoric acid, are strikingly displayed in this 
county, where the first essays in this country were made, and 
where, I believe, a larger amount of them has been used, in pro- 
portion to the population, than in any section of similar limits in 
the United States. .And what has been the result, after such 
heavy expenditures 1 Are the farmers any poorer. Or are they 
not vastly more prosperous and independent? The affirmative 
cannot be doubted for a moment, and I have often expressed the 
gratification felt in finding Kent County so much in advance of 
other places in the employment of concentrated fertilizers.* 

Guano has been most liberally purchased until the price of 
Peruvian has reached a pitch almost past endurance, especially 
should the late decline in the prices of agricultural products con- 
tinue. Besides, many people have been greatly disappointed in 
the enduring effects of guano, and even found that its repeated 
application to the same ground impaired fertility. Having had 

to be necessary for national subsistance, I will make the following quotation 
from a recent number of Hunt's Merchant's Magazine : — 

The important part which the guano trade is performing in the commerce of 
the world, and its influence upon shipping interests, is but imperfectly under- 
stood. Vessels carrying cargoes to our west Pacific coast, formerly were obliged 
to depend for return freights upon China and the East Indies alone* Now they 
are directed to the Chinchas, which furnish cargoes at high rates, for foreign 
and American vessels, to a very large extent. 

Nearly 400,000 tons of guano are required for Great Britain and Ireland, and 
250,000 tons for the United States. Every sea is explored to obtain this 
valuable fertilizer. 

The aggregate value of the different varieties now in the markets of the 
world cannot be less than $140,000,000 per anuum. To the Peruvian govern- 
ment the revenue derived from her guano trade exceeds the amount from all 
her other sources of income — her mines of gold and silver, agriculture, etc. 

Thi3 great trade is annually swelling into still greater magnitude, from the 
introduction of new varieties. The predominant ingredient of the Peruvian is 
ammonia, found almost exclusively in the rainless latitudes in which the Chin- 
cha islands are located; while those in which the phospha t es prevail, are 
largely deposited on islands on the eastern side of our continent particularly in 
the Caribbean Sea, most of which are believed to be included inthe contract of 
the Philadelphia Guano Company. A very extensive market exists in Europe 
and in this country for this article. Farmers have discovered what had clearly 
been demonstrated by agricultural chemistry, that, without the application of 
mineral salta found in these guanoes, soils would soon become barren, and the 
presence of ammonia be of little avail. The improvished lands on our southern 
sea board are being resuscitated by its use. 

* It has been estimated that in one single year, Kent County with a white 
population of about 17,000 has expended for concentrated fertilizers, chiefly 
guano, [no less than $17/5,000. Single farmers in the county have lately been 
UL?ing from 10 to 40 tons of superphosphate annually upon their crops 



occasion for several years past to make use of 30 or 40 tons a 
year of some concentrated fertilizer, it of course became a mat- 
ter of vital importance to my interests that what I procured at 
such heavy cost should prove remunerative. Tons of Peruvian 
guano I had applied until, discouraged by its transient effects, I 
saw the necessity of employing some fertilizer in which phos- 
phate of lime instead of being locked up through partial insolubili- 
ty, as in guano and ground bones, was made soluble and 
immediately active, whilst the ammonia was fixed so as to be 
incapable of flying away. These advantages I wished com- 
bined in an article of easy application, the cost of which would 
not exceed $5 to $8 per acre, a price no greater than suffices in 
some places to pay the labor of hauling and spreading barn-yard 
manure. And this great desideratum I have obtained by calling 
into requisition the skill of a practical chemist, by whom I am 
now supplied with the fertilizing properties of bone-earth imme- 
diately soluble in rain water and consequently capable of exer- 
ting most prompt effects upon vegetation, combined with ammo- 
nia in a form rendering its escape and loss impossible. 

Everybody knows what crushed or powdered bones will do to 
benefit land. But then it requires some $15 or $20 worth of 
these per acre to accomplish less good than may be gained by 
the convenient application of a properly prepared super-phos- 
phate of lime, costing not over one-third the money. By this 
improvement the way is open to the small as well as the rich 
farmer, the tenant as well as the owner, of immediately increa- 
sing the fertility of his land, so as no longer to waste his strength 
in the unprofitable tillage of improvished and unproductive soil- 
Bones have recently been offered to the farmer reduced to a 
finer state than that formerly obtained by grinding, and much 
more inviting in appearance through at an increased cost. 
From their containing animal matter they have been reckoned 
by many superior even to guano or the super-phospate of lime. 
It is however evident to persons well acquainted with the sub- 
ject that such cannot be the case, since the phosphoric acid of 
the bones is in an insoluble state, and the amount of efficient 
animal matter greatly reduced by the process to which they are 
exposed, namely, high steaming, through which means they are 
it is true, reduced to brittleness, admitting of fine pulverization, at 



10 

the expense however of one-third of their efficient animal matter, 
the albumen acquiring from heat the hardness and insolubility of 
horn. The remaining portion of animal matter, amounting in 
fresh bones to about 22 per cent., is capable of furnishing about 4 
per cent, of ammonia in the state of a volatile carbonate. When put 
into the ground this volatile carbonate is constantly forming and 
escaping, with greater or less rapidity according to the warmth 
and moisture present, the process going on day and night as long 
as any animal matter remains. The only portion which plants 
can appropriate to their use is the little that may be washed 
down to their roots when it rains. Should rains not come before 
the decomposition ceases, the ammonia will of course all be dis- 
persed into the atmosphere and lost. 

I have devoted many years to the investigation of the subject 
of concentrated and artificial fertilizers, and do not wish you to 
receive my conclusions as mere opinions derived from curious 
studies, but as results of long experience in the open field and very 
extended observations. Farmers, I know, are given to boasting of 
their success. Whether I go too far in relating the results 
ofmy own operations may be easily ascertained by any of you who 
will take the trouble to visit my farms, near ?X hand. On one 
of these which has not yet been two years in my possession and 
was before desperately poor, the produce of the corn crop has 
been raised from 10 or 12, to 30 or 35 bushels per acre, all by 
the application of 300 to 400 lbs. per acre of a good super-phos- 
phate of lime. On other farms which have been much longer 
under improving operations, large fields will average 50 and 60 
bushels per acre.* 

*For my own satisfaction I have had chemical analyses ma le of many of 
the fertilize; s exteusi vely sold io tbe Ppila ielphia and Baltimore markets. Some 
of these, recommended by the most plausible puffs, have managed to gum a great 
reputation and extensive sale; but though bearing the name of super-phosphate, 
I found them entirely destitute of soluble super phosphate, whilst omers 
contained veiy small proportions, far short of wnat a good article should con- 
tain. And yet the most favorable representations were made of their riches, 
supported by certificates from chemists of high standing. Are not these gentle- 
men sometimes imposed upon by having good samples placed in their hands to 
analyze ? The vender knows little or nothing of the real value of what is put 
with him to dispose of, and is generally ready to meet the views of those who 
want the cheapest articles. The farmer in order to get a fertilizer one or 
two dollars per ton lower, will pass over a good one and throw away his money 
in the puichase of another which may not enable him to raise half as much 
produce as with the first. The damp state in which some articles are sold, 
amounting to 25 or 30 per cent, of water, often causes a loss of one ton ia the 



11 

In some few places I have certainly witnessed better effects, 
immediately following the application of Peruvian guano than 
were obtained from super-phosphate of lime. This has been the 
case where little or no vegetable mould remained in the ground, 
and in bottoms, and more especially swamp land. Such places 
are often so charged with acids derived from the decomposition 
of beds of fallen leaves or rank vegetable growth, that nothing 
but coarse weeds and briars will grow upon them. Before they 
can be profitably tilled in grain crops this excess of acidity must 
be corrected. Fresh or unleached ashes, when they can be 
obtained in sufficient quantity, will accomplish this object ex- 
ceedingly well : so will Ireshly slaked lime. But both I believe are 
greatly inferior to Peruvian guano, the large amount of volatile 
ammonia in which, is probably seized upon by the acids, which 
are not only neutralized and rendered harmless to grain crops, 
but the new compounds of ammonia formed prove highly bene- 
ficial fertilizers. Within the past year I have met with a beau- 
tiful result of this kind. In a piece of black swamp land, Peru- 
vian guano was applied at the rate of about 250 lbs. per acre. 
A small place was left without guano, which yielded literally no 
wheat at all, whilst that portion dressed with guano brought 
about 30 bushels per acre of the finest grain. 

Although the necessity of phosphoric acid and ammonia for 
the restoration and continuation of fertility is so apparent, it is 
worth bearing in mind that fertilizers showing by chemical anal- 
yssis the largest proportion of them are not always those from 
which the most immediate profits are derived. Thus, ground 
bones and imperfectly prepared super-phosphate of lime will 
often show a very large amount of phosphoric acid which may 
be locked up in a comparatively insoluble condition, requiring 
years to develop through gradual decay. So likewise a great 
amount of ammonia may exist, though in such a volatile state 
as to admit of its escape before it can be made available to 
crops. Its well known pungent and pervading smell, like that 
arising from most animal manures, is an evidence of departing 
strength, and the stronger the smell the more rapid the waste. 

purchase of three or four tons. Some manufacturers who would not be guilty 
of practicing wilful fraud, are incapable of making good articles. The desire to 
have a fertilizer of the best quality, has led me to patronize a manufacturer 
whose process is at all times open to my inspection. 



12 

To those who have occasion to apply concentrated fertilizers, 
especially the super-phosphate of lime, there is one recommenda- 
tion I will make as of great importance; namely, where the 
supply of barn yard or other animal or vegetable manure is not 
sufficient to give a proper dressing to a whole field, not to apply 
what they may have by itself on a certain part of the field, but 
have it spread thinly, even if it does not afford one-half or one- 
fourth of a good dressing, and make up the amount of a full dress- 
ing with the super-phosphate or other concentrated fertilizer. As 
a general rule mixtures of manures produce greater benefits 
than can be obtained from any one kind used alone. 

All outlays made by farmers from which no adequate returns 
are received must be regarded not only as good money sunk by 
individuals, but as so much capital taken from the productive 
resources of the country. To say nothing of the many other 
causes of loss, such as ill-directed labor, inefficient tillage, etc. 
I will advert to one of far greater extent than is commonly be- 
lieved, namely the misuse of lime. This is a subject which I 
dwelt upon, not long since when addressing, on an occasion like 
the present, the Agricultural Society of Chester County, Penn- 
sylvania. I then said that if the Chester Co., agricultural society 
had the amount annually lost through the misapplication of lime 
within its own limits, it could afford to endow an agricultural col- 
lege, and distribute princely premiums. With the view of making 
myself better understood I will premise that every substance 
applied to the soil either as an immediate fertilizer, ameliorator, 
or chemical corrective, in order to exert good effects promptly, 
must be capable of solution in rain water. Now, lime is only in 
a state to be promptly dissolved and carried into the ground for 
a limited time after it is slaked. Every one knows that it will 
not make good mortar or white-wash after long exposure to the 
air, such exposure rendering it insoluble in water. The mo st 
favorable state in which lime can be applied to land is immediate- 
ly after slaking, and when in the finest powder. Then, it is 
readily dissolved by rain water and carried into the soil, like 
so much soluble super-posphate. Five bushels of lime applied 
thus I regard as capable of exerting better effects in most cases 
than 50 or even 100 bushels, spread after long exposure to the 
air, especially if it has been soaked by water and rendered lum- 



13 

py. Indeed in this last condition, one very often met with, I 
regard lime as almost worthless, and unless applied on soil? 
filled with acidity, little better than pebbles, 

All estimates of the quantity of lime required for agricultural 
application must be made with strict reference to its condition. 
When it has been brought by sufficient atmospheric exposure to 
a state incapable of making white-wash or mortar, or into the 
chalky condition, the quantity required to produce good effects 
must be greatly increased. In England where native chalk is 
abundant it is extensively used on land, 500 or 600 bushels being 
spread to the acre. Now, the same rule applies to calcareous 
marie, and lime which after slaking has been much exposed to the 
atmosphere. Both are neither more or less than chalk, or car- 
bonate of lime, a substance so partially soluble in water, that to 
produce good effects immense quantities must be used. Some idea 
may be formed of the loss sustained from lime suffered to get into 
an effete and insoluble state, by viewing the mounds lying at land- 
ings and depots, where it is often left neglected for months before 
spreading. 

Let us now suppose that land greatly reduced and incapable 
of producing enough barn yard manure to insure profitable til- 
lage, has through the judicious application of lime, ashes, guano, 
or what I prefer in most cases, a good ammoniated super-phos- 
phate of lime, been brought into a condition to produce good 
grain crops, clover and other herbage, by which the means are 
furnished of supporting stock and making a supply of barn yard 
manure. At this stage of improvement the farm should no lon- 
ger mainly depend upon foreign supplies, but, if the manure made 
is properly taken care of, be able to sustain itself by its own re- 
sources. The immense amount of barn yard manure annually 
wasted is a subject of serious consideration. It is often washed 
away from the pound by drenching rains, and hence the great 
advantage of deep beds of straw or other litter to absorb it. If 
left through summer in the pound to be applied to the wheat 
sown in autumn, more than half its fertilizing salts may be washed 
away, and its ammonia dissipated. Hence aiso the advantage, in 
our hot climate of keeping it sheltered from the weather, and 
putting out all winter-made manure on spring crops. 

A few words, can I think, be profitably said in relation to cer- 



14 

tain green crops, which may be introduced by our farmers with 
great advantage. I need not occupy the time of those so familiar 
with red clover in describing its many invaluable qualities as a 
forage crop and means of improving the soil. But in some lands, 
especially those of a sandy quality, red clover often disappoints the 
expectations of the farmer by dyeing out, sooner or later, in 
summer. Now, where this occurs there are other forage plants, 
which, from being capable of standing droughts, and even flour- 
ishing in them, and growing on land too poor to produce red 
c ] ver — recommend themselves as substitutes, Among these is 
Lucerne, (medicago sativa) called in England Purple Medick 
Grass, or French Clover. It has been brought into the United States 
from South America under the various names of Alfafa, Chillian, 
and Brazillian Clover, leading to the belief of its being a native 
of the Southern Continent. But it was unquestionably introduced 
by the first settlers from southern Europe, where it has been culti- 
vated as an indispensable forage crop since the days of the 
Romans. Although it succeeds well in the moist climate of Eng- 
land, it is evidently peculiarly adapted to the exigencies of drier 
climates, and more arid soils. When these are deep enough they 
need not be very rich in order to produce good crops of Lucerne, 
which may be kept good for many years by occasional top-dress- 
ings. A writer in one of our agricultural periodicals says, that 
from his experience he is convinced no other crop can at all 
compare with Lucerne for abundance and quality, and for cutting 
green and feeding in the yard to farm stock, or for making hay 
of the most fattening properties. Hogs fed or pastured upon 
lucerne require no other food, being often slaughtered in fine 
condition after feeding on it alone. He recommends sowing 
broadcast instead of in drill rows, as usually advised, the seed to 
be scattered thickly on clean and and well pulverized land, either 
in spring, summer or autumn, and without any other crop. The 
plants, if not choked by weeds, will soon cover the ground. 
An early cutting frequently repeated, gives lucerne a start over 
the weeds, and a slight harrowing after each mowing will enable 
it to keep the advantage. 

Those who wish to see lucerne growing, may find a hand- 
some lot in the neighboring town of Camden, on the premises 
of Hunn Jenkins, Esq. He sowed the seed broadcast with oats 



15 

two years ago, and has mown several crops from it the present 
season. It should not be cut often until the roots attain a good 
size and depth. I am well satisfied that the more extensive intro- 
duction of this pasture and forage plant will prove of immense 
advantage to the agricultural resources of this country. The 
seed is now imported from France, and sells for about three times 
the price of common red clover seed, and like it, requires to be 
sown at the rate often or twelve pounds to the acre. Once set 
it does not want renewal for many years. 

As very similar in its nature and good qualities to Lucerne, 
and adapted to soils unfavorable to clover, I would also invite 
attention to Sainfoin, the Bourgogne or Esparcette of the French 
farmers. 

There is yet another green crop, which I think may be intro- 
duced into this section of country, so as to subserve important 
ends. I refer to the Cow Pea, now extensively cultivated in the 
southern states where the hot and dry summers so often kill out 
red clover. Although called peas, they are not round, but strictly 
beans of moderate size, affording food for man and beast. They 
will grow on land where clover cannot be raised, and when turned 
under in a green state greatly improve the soil. I last year 
received two varieties of the Cow Pea from Judge John 
R. Donnell, of Newbern, North Carolina, one of the largest 
farmers in that state — who in addition to his immense corn crops 
sometimes gathers 2500 bushels a year of these peas. 

One of the varieties was of a uniform yellow color, and grew 
through the trying drought of 1856 with great luxuriance, pro- 
ducing slender pods nearly a foot long. But they matured 
imperfectly. 

The second variety was a speckled pea, which has been more 
recently introduced into North Carolina. It grew well through 
the severest droughts, produced less foliage than the first kind, 
but more pods, shorter and filled with well matured seeds. Both 
varieties were planted in Little Creek Neck, about five miles east 
of this place, on missing cornhills, and some in drill rows. 

This summer, in the first part of July, I had a portion of a 
field, intended for wheat, ploughed and sown broadcast, with the 
speckled peas. They grew luxuriantly, and when mown a few 
days since, (about the 9th of October), had well matured peas 



16 

in many of the pods. It proved very difficult to cure and con- 
vert the stems, leaves and pods into hay, but this might in some 
degree be owing to want of experience. The stubble and deep 
roots have been ploughed under, and next season will show the 
results. As they seem to defy the most trying droughts, they 
certainly merit the attention of farmers, especially such as culti- 
vate the lighter and warmer soils, where the injury from dry 
weather is most severely felt, 

Henry Burgwin, Esq., an extensive North Carolina farmer, 
who has devoted much attention to the subject of improving 
worn-out lands, has published interesting details of his process 
in the Patent Office Report for 1849-50. He says that by the 
use of peas followed by clover, he has succeeded in improving - 
land so reduced as to yield only 7 or 10 bushels of corn, to 20 
bushels per acre, and wheat from only 4 or 5 bushels to 10 and 
12 bushels per acre. 

The best way to begin the culture of any of the green crops 
I have recommended, is to lay down lots of moderate size, the 
results on which will make one acquainted with the nature and 
qualities of the plant, and show what advantages may be gained 
through its more extensive cultivation. It is often of the greatest 
importance, especially on small farms with limited or indiffer- 
ent pasturage, to have lots laid down in some luxuriant-growing 
plants, such as clover, lucerne, or even corn sown broadcast. 
These can be cut from time to time and fed green to horses, 
cattle, and other stock, so as to keep them thriving and healthy, 
and be the means of saving a large amount of corn and oats. 

For winter use there are certain root crops, the culture of 
which should be encouraged by liberal premiums offered by agri- 
cultural societies. I refer to the varieties of turnip, the sugar 
beet and carrot. Supplies of these will prove highly refreshing 
and useful for cattle, sheep, and even horses, whilst feeding on 
hay and other dry food during many months in winter and 
spring. For sheep — the most profitable of farm stock — root, 
crops are of the utmost importance as a part of their winter food 

The culture of the sugar cane lately brought from China 
introduces a new object of profit to farmers, and the exhibition 
here of specimens of excellent syrups made in this neighborhood, 
with the beautiful granulated sugar made in the lower part of 



17 

the conn'.y by Mr. Dorsy, indicates a peculiarly favorable adapta- 
tion of the soil and climate of the county, to the production of 
saccharine matter in this new cane, readily reducible to the 
chrystalized form. 

The eastern part of this county, washed by the waters of our 
noble Bay, is one extended line of salt marsh, through which numer- 
ous creeks meander and carry navigation far into fast land. The 
day may come when that spirit of enterprise which has so often 
gone beyond the most sanguine calculations, will succeed in 
reclaiming and turning to agricultural account the thousands of 
acres now almost valueless, and even worse than valueless, from 
the pests they send forth, to annoy the neighboring inhabitants, 
and worry and injure their cattle. Of the means by which so 
great and desirable a desideratum may be brought about, I 
have not time at present to speak, my object being merely to 
re commend fie introduction into these marsh lands of a species 
of grass which may render them, even in their present unstable 
state, highly valuable. 1 refer to what on the salt waters of New 
Jersey and New York bears the name of Black Grass, (the Jun- 
cu; Gerardi of B< tanists.) 

On Long Island, where I have seen it growing on salt meadows, 
an ar r i well se.t in Black Grass is o ften regarded as of equal va!u 3 
tD one in Timothy. Cattle wintered on hay made of it come out 
in spring in as fins condition as if they had been kept on clover 
hay. It is evident that the introduction of Black Grass on the 
thousands of acres now furnishing only bent and other coarse apolo- 
gies for provender, would prove of great advantage to the agri- 
cultural resources of this county. 

As a general rule farms devoted chiefly to grain crops are 
productive in proportion to the herbage they are capable of yield- 
ing; for on this depends their capacity to produce grain crops. 
The green pasturage sustains the stock necessary to convert the 
hay, straw and litter into farm-yard manure, and without stock 
the productiveness of a farm cannot be kept up long. I am a 
full believer in the trite English agricultural proverb — which 
says — " Without the horn you cannot have corn." 

When we reflect upon the necessity of agriculture to supply 
the most pressing wants of every living being, we find it not 
only affording sustenance to man and beast, but furnishing the 



18 

basis upon which all industrial pursuits depend. If lands declim 
in fertility or productiveness, not only farmers sutler, but mer- 
chants, artizans and professional men find their means of support 
diminished. On the contrary, as farms and plantations are ren- 
dered more productive, every industrial pursuit receives a healthy 
impulse, and the evidences of prosperity are developed on every 
hand. Sir Joseph Child, a sensible old English writer, says, 
quaintly, " Land and Trade are twins, and ever will wax and 
wane together. It cannot be ill with trade but lands must fall, nor 
ill with lands but trade must feel it." Let me add, that he who 
improves property in any locality, is not the sole recipient of the 
benefits of such improvement, as this surely extends itself to the 
possessions of his neighbor. Whatever selfish views a selfish 
man might entertain, were he a successful farmer, he could not 
serve his own interests without promoting those of his neighbor. 
What a comfortable reflection this, for the good man, whose 
delight is in doing what not only proves profitable to him- 
self, but beneficial to others. A single intelligent improver may 
revolutionize a whole neighborhood, changing its poverty- 
stricken condition to productiveness and cheerful prosperity. 

Gentlemen, the great ends and aims of this and similar asso- 
ciations, is to advance all kinds of agricultural improvement, and 
render the labors of the farmer more productive. To accom- 
plish this object, meetings are held to discuss interesting topics, 
and exhibitions made annually or oftener, of the various products 
of the soils which engage the attention of the thrifty farmer. 
Along with these we find a collection of the best mechanical 
implements for aiding the farmer in sowing, tilling, harvesting, 
and threshing his various crops. Among other objects to be 
achieved by agricultural societies, I must not omit one of the 
most essential, namely, dispersing the means of gathering useful 
information by the distribution of good books as premiums, or 
procuring them for circulating libraries. 

The happy influences exerted upon agriculture by recent scien- 
tific researches, and the publication of good books adapted to 
an advanced state of education, are apparent almost every where* 
and I trust it may soon be said of our rural population what has 
been lately remarked by a writer in regard to the highly improved 
state of agriculture existing at the present day in Scotland : 



19 

" Fortunately." says this writer, "a higher style of education had 
begun to prevail amongst the farmer's sons, especially as regards 
physical science, and their minds were thus, in some measure, 
prepared for understanding the novel and startling principles of 
agriculture propounded by Liebig. However distrustingly the 
old farmers viewed these new-fangled and theoretical notions, as 
they wore pleased to term them, yet they had the good sense 
generally, to give their sons the opportunity of becoming ac- 
quainted with them ; and as many of these young men threw 
themselves, heart and intellect, into the arena of experimental 
farming, they thus became the preceptors of their fathers, and 
will no doubt, in their turn, become the progenitors of a highly- 
educated and scientific race of agriculturists. Liebig's theories 
have, undoubtedly, led to great changes and improvements in 
Scottish agriculture, by opening up a new field for practical ex- 
periment ; and, although his work possesses a world-wide fame, 
yet nowhere has it given ^so general a stimulus to agriculture as 
in Scotland. His happy suggestion regarding the treatment of 
bones with sulphuric acid, and the formation of soluble phosphate 
of lime by such a combination, has opened up a new and exhaust- 
less source of fertility, and established an entirely new trade in 
the country. His mineral theory has suggested the profiiable 
employment of many substances formerly looked upon as worth- 
less; and the great importance he assigned to ammonia as a fer- 
tilizing agent, has turned the attention of the agricultural world 
at largo, to the employment as manures, of many substances 
containing this important principle of vegetable life — thus opening 
up a neu r source of wealth and prosperity to the country. The 
introduction of guano into Britain has not only proved the cor- 
rectness of Liebig's nitrogen theory, but it has also, by its prac- 
tical ejects, brought conviction to the mind of every intelligent 
farmer, that the researches ot the chemist, instead ot being vis- 
ionary and useless, are of the very first importance in developing 
practical agriculture. It is due to the Scotch farmers to say, 
that no where have the suggestions of science been more success- 
fully and generally put in practice than in Scotland. There is 
scarcely a farm to be found without chemical manures in some 
shape or other ; and not un frequently the expense for artificial 
manures alone, is equal to a half, or even three-fourths of the 



20 

rent of the land. Cautious as the Scotch farmers are in all their 
transactions, they are no sooner convinced of the propriety of an 
improvement than they bring the whole force of their industry, 
skill, and available capital to bear upon its development; and should 
the latter necessary item be inadequate, they hesitate not to 
borrow, nor the manure dealers and money dealers to give credit, 
or to lend upon the faith of a successful result." — (Mai-toil's En- 
cyclopaedia.) 

In concluding I will remark, that in coming among you to-day 
it was with no view of indulging in declamation or speculations 
more amusing than profitable. Nor have I sought to tickle the 
ears of the more learned portion of my audience by erudite 
allusions to agricultural rules, and maxims 10 be culled from the 
pages left us by Cato, Columella, and other model farmers of the 
classic ages. My main object has been to invite your attention to 
subjects calculated to render our farmers more intelligent and our 
farms more productive. Where scientific topics have been dwelt 
upon, I have used the plainest language, so as to make myself 
uiderstood by every one present, and I trust that I have succeei'e 1 
in impressing upon the minds of some of you, views and sugges- 
tions which maybe turned, sooner or later, to profitable account. 



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